It was finally the winter masquerade ball.

Even thought it was only 5:20, it was pretty dark out already. Snow was drifting down from the grey sky in small clumps, and everyone was lined up to go in with their dates and friends, whispering and giggling with each other joyfully. The ground was coated in a thin layer of crisp fresh snow, crunching with every step people took. The atmosphere was infectiously delightful and exciting, yet I was filled with dread. 

I spent the last few months saving up for this occasion, barely scraping the money I needed to buy a good suit. Although my roommates had offered to lend me money, I'd declined because I didn't want to seem like I was just using them for money.

But all my hard work had paid off, and now I was standing alone in line wearing my tuxedo. It consisted of a light cream blue dress shirt, which reminds me of my house, a thin slightly darker blue blazer, and a navy blue vest made with material that seemed like jean with a thin layer of fur on the collar. It went with a pair of dark navy dress pants, and a sleek shiny pair of black dress boots. The tuxedo also came with a dark navy tie, which was almost black like the color of my trousers and a pair of elegant faded blue gloves. My roommates were all going with their dates and I didn't want to be that awkward thrid wheel. Of course, they told me I was welcome to stay and chat with them, but I could tell they were only being polite.

Everyone here seems well dressed up, as always. They had the expensivest suits and dresses, and masks with fancy carvings and engravings on them. It made me feel terribly inferior and underdressed although my suit wasn't cheap or ugly. I felt like I'd like never truly fit in with their society because I wasn't the same class as them. Even my friends unconsciously made me feel this way. The way they talked about certain things really show how rich they are, and they always talked about money so casually, as though it were air.

I always felt as though no one would ever understand me, since we came from such different backgrounds. Even the way people walked here shows that they're different. You might say that I'm exaggerating, but it's true. The society really is messed up, and it's unfair how people like me have to suffer because of it.

I was also nervous to go to such a big event by myself, especially with Celeste around. Was she planning something big? I really didn't think so, but you had to be extra cautious and ready for anything at all times. I'd let my guard down when I'd been younger but now I knew better. Some people were really just that unpredictable. 

And who knows what alcohol would make people do. I've seen say too many books and movies decepting teenage girls being harassed by some drunk idiot. Even though those we only stereotypes, and I could defend myself, I was still slightly worried. Guess I'm just paranoid.

We all had a ticket to go in, given to us dorm by dorm a week before the masquerade ball. I'm not sure why I showed up so early for an event I didn't even want to be at, all by myself. As I waited in line, I spotted Damien with Ralph, who was very rugged and muscular. They were both wearing suits from Ralph's dad's clothing company, and they both seemed very pleased to be here with each other. Damien saw me, and grinned happily. I smiled back at him, feeling fake. 

I still felt as I'd never be accepted, and that most students here only viewed me as a poor commoner with a mask on, feigning opulence. This was the thing that I was most insecure about, my deepest fears behind the neutral face I put on. So I kept it suffocated inside me, unable to get it out. I didn't want to burden my mom either, especially not when she thinks I'm happy and all that she's sacrificed for me to be here today. I mean, I am happy, but.. I just can't explain the feeling.

I often have these dark thoughts, which I thought of as my dark side. I really do have depression, I guess. Everyone has their own weaknesses and secrets. As all my worries piled up in my head, stirring up a storm, I was suddenly at the front of the line. The man there wearing a simple suit and a black mask like mine who asked me dully for my ticket. 

I handed it to him and he dismissively waved me in. He seemed very bored, which I would be too if I had to do his job. When I walked through the big doors, I found myself inside a grand ballroom. I'd known that the place would be humongous and exquisite, but the place still somehow managed to awe me. 

The lights were dimmed, with mini glowing snowflakes hanging from the ceiling. You could always feel the low bass booming, a slight vibration that you get used to after a while. There was some background music playing, mostly pop songs requested by students. 

On the left side of the small ballroom, there were tables filled with hors d'oeuvres, small deserts, and of course, drinks. On the right side, there was even a bar with quite a few bartenders there serving students. There was a dance floor with live music set up in the center, but this was only the tip of the iceberg. 

Inside, after you went in through the small ballroom, was the grand ballroom. There was a huge dance floor with a live DJ, and a stage for a band set up. It was pretty much a bigger version of the small ballroom, and there were multiple small ballrooms, basically 3 per grade although they wasn't specifically assigned to any. You were free to move from room to room, whatever you wanted.

Everything in here screamed expensiveness. This event must've cost millions. There were people everywhere, yet I couldn't really recognise any of them in the dark and with masks on. I was used to seeing everyone with their normal uniforms. There were people dancing, eating, drinking, flirting, even a few making out, and some just talking with their friends. 

Everyone seemed to have a good time. Then again, they'd probably went to parties and balls like this before loads of times and were accustomed to this. I looked like the only awkward person there, who didn't know what to do or why they were there. And so, I walked over to the bar and decided to get a shot or two. 

Maybe that would numb my nerves and my fears. I sat down on one of the high stools and pondered whether I should really do this since I'd never had any alcohol before. I pushed these thoughts aside and decided to order a shot of whiskey. Why not start strong?

The bartender handed me a small glass with alcohol in it before hurrying off to serve others. I gazed at the honey colored liquid inside the glass, swirling it a little. Should I be drinking? Especially this early? I took a deep breath to calm myself. Then, I drank the whole thing in one gulp. It burned my throat and my mouth going down, causing me to almost cough it out. It tasted like crap too. 

Speaking of Celeste, where was she? I didn't see her at all today.

I got off of the stool and walked off, searching the ginormous place for her. Wait, I thought as I walked around aimlessly, why was I looking for her? Did I want to talk to her again? Especially here, in a public setting with no privacy? I didn't get why I was looking for her but continued searching for her anyway. It was probably the alcohol acting up, but I didn't know it.

The people around me seemed so happy, dancing, laughing, singing, and just having a good time. I saw Emma dancing with her boyfriend, whom I really did see before on a magazine. She acknowledged me with a smile, which I returned.

Then, I saw someone in a beautiful silvery long dress in the distance. I don't know why, but I found myself making my way towards her, like a moth to a flame. When I got closer, I realized she looked really familiar.